Wind Turbines

Meaningful power at realistic wind speeds

RenEnergy are MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) approved installers of small wind turbine systems.

Wind turbines produce electricity by using the natural power of the wind to drive a generator. Turbines usually consist of a tower and hub with rotor blades attached to it. The wind rotates the blades; turning a rotor shaft, which drives a generator producing DC (direct current) electricity. An inverter is used to converts DC to AC (alternating current) electricity.

Wind systems can be on-grid or off-grid. If you are off grid the generated electricity is stored in batteries. If you are connected to the grid you get paid for what you generate under the FIT scheme and if you generate more electricity than you use, you can sell the excess to your supplier.

There are two common types of wind turbine: horizontal axis, vertical axis; these may be building or ground mounted. Not all models work well in all locations and siting is critical to get good performance from a wind turbine.

Wind Turbine installation considerations

Choosing the right site for your turbine is crucial to the efficient operation and the financial viability of the installation.

Your site must have an average wind speed of 5 to 6 m/s. You can get an approximate estimate of wind speeds in your area from various web based climatic data bases but we would recommend collating accurate data over a period of six months on the proposed site, using instruments to measure wind speed and direction (anemometer), prior to any significant investment in wind turbine technology. RenEnergy can recommend a company offering wind monitoring services to ensure that you get the most accurate data available and make an informed decision about your investment.

Your site must be free of nearby obstacles (like building, trees or hills) that might reduce wind speed or create turbulence. As a rule of thumb you should allow 20 times the distance from a tall obstacle. The ideal site is a smooth hillside with an open stretch facing the prevailing wind.

You will need to get planning permission for your turbine and this can prove to be the single biggest obstacle to a project going forward. Even for a single turbine the planners will want to know about the visual impact, noise, vibration, electrical interference and safety. You may also meet with opposition from your neighbours.

Most installations require a grid connection, either via an existing connection to your house or farm or by a new connection. If you have an off grid system you will need an energy storage system (batteries) and this can be expensive.

The size of turbine you choose will depend on your budget, the site you have in mind and the amount of power you want to generate. You will need to weigh up the cost of connection to the grid against this as well.

The lifespan of a wind turbine is around 22 years .Batteries for use in off grid systems have a relatively short life span and will require replacement every few years The turbines require maintenance annually to make sure they run efficiently and to ensure that they operate safely.
Wind turbines are rated by their output power – but be aware that the power is normally measured at 11m/s wind speed and normally you will not achieve anything like this wind speed.

Wind Turbines can be noisy and they can induce vibration in structures to which they are attached. Be very careful to ensure that this will not be an issue if you are considering attaching a turbine to a structure.

The power generated by turbines is intermittent – when the wind drops so will your generated energy so you will still need a grid connection or batteries.

Small wind turbines can be considered to be up to 10kW output capacity,

Economics

The payback period of systems varies greatly depending on many factors it is best to contact us for more detail.

Wind turbines are eligible for FIT payments.

Suppliers

RenEnergy offer a wide range of wind turbines each with their own specific advantages enabling us to offer the correct turbine for each project.

You can download our full information sheets below or contact us on 0845 225 2727 to discuss your project in detail.

Domestic Wind TurbineCommercial Wind Turbine